India reacts to US decision to sell F-16 jets to Pakistan

NEW DELHI: India has expressed disappointment with the US decision to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan and summoned the US ambassador to New Delhi on Saturday to convey its ‘displeasure’.

"We are disappointed at decision of the Obama administration to notify the sale of F-16 aircrafts to Pakistan." the ministry of external affairs said.

"We disagree with their rationale that such arms transfers help to combat terrorism," Vikas Swarup, a spokesman for India's Foreign Ministry, said on Twitter.

We disagree with their rationale that such arms transfers help to combat terrorism," the ministry of external affairs said on Saturday.

US ambassador Richard Verma was summoned to the ministry's South Block office on Saturday morning where he met foreign secretary S Jaishankar over the matter.

The Defence Security Cooperation Agency - a wing of the Pentagon - said in a statement, that this proposed sale worth nearly USD 700 million contributes to US foreign policy objectives and national security goals by helping improve the security of a strategic partner in South Asia.

The Pentagon said the proposed sale improves Pakistan's capability to meet current and future security threats sand won't alter the military balance in the region.